Container



Aug. 14, 1928. 1,681,150

A. vlscHER. JR

CONTAINER FiledSepM 22. 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1 A. VlSCHER. JR

CONTAINER Filed Sept. 22. 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 i Q- /I/I/IIII/IQ Patented Aug. 14, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. I

ALFRED VISCHER, JR., 0F FLORAL PARK, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO SELF SEAL PRES- SURE COOKER 00., INQ, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OI NEW YORK.

CONTAINER.

Application filed September 22, 1922, Serial No. 589,814,and in Great Britain March 20, 1922.

This invention relates to containers and with regard to certain more specific features, to pressure cookers.

Among the several objects of the invent1on may be noted the provision of a simple construction for sealing the container against escape of steam or waterj and the provision of an inexpensive retainer or clamp between the body and the cover of the container. Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combinations .of elements and arrangements of parts which are exemplified in the structure hereinafter described and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which is shown one of various possible embodiments of this invention,

Fig. 1 is a front elevation, partly in section, of a preferred form of container;

Fig. 2 is a perspective of a spring ring, showing the ring expanded;

Fig. 3 is a similar but fragmentary view, showing the ring contracted, that is, in normal position with respect to the container;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary transverse vertical section, on an enlarged scale;

gig. 5 is a similar view of a pan and hail; an

Fig. 6 is a left side elevation of'Fig. 5 and,

Figs. 7 and 8 are fragmentary plans of the toggle clip open and closed, respectively.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 1, there is illustrated a containerhaving the side or body or main portion 5 of a suitable material, such as steel enameled ware, and a lid or cover or closure 7 constructed preferable of aluminum. The bod is provided with handles 21 and a beaded ange 8. Extending around the top rim of the'body and down into the interior of the body is a ring 10 (Figs. 1 and 4), preferably of steel. The ring has a flange 13 extending tightly around the flange 8 of the body, and has an inwardly projecting head or rib 14 the inner surface 18 of which is readily made in a true circle, to cooperate accurately with the flange 11 of the cover to form a seal at super-normal temperatures.

The space between ring 10 and flange 8 ,is preferably sealed by a cork compressed durmg the application of ring to body, to the shape indicated conventionally at 19 in Fig. 4. In addition, a sealing compound 20 may be injected by means of a pressure greasegun or otherwise, through an aperture 24, into the space 22, the compound sealing the aperture when the injection has been completed.

A valve 9 in the cover permits escape of fluid from the container whenever the pressure of said fluid exceeds a predetermined amount or at any time at the will of the operator.

At normal or room temperatures and internal pressures the lid has a sliding fit upon the bead 14 on the ring 10. At super-normal temperatures the lid is pressed tightly against said bead. This is due to the fact that the lid is of a material having a higher kt)hp1rmal coefficient of expansion than the o y. n

At sup'er-normal-internal pressures (that is, at pressures within the container substantially above the atmospheric pressure outside the container), the lid is also pressed tightl against the bead. This is due to the fact t at in yielding to the force exerted by the internal pressure, the lid becomes more tightly pressed against the bead, owing to the configuration of the adjacent parts. This will be explained in detail later.

The flange 11 limitsthe downward or inward movement of the lid. A spring rin 15 is normally fitted around flanges 8 an 11 and tends to prevent the cover from being removed from the body of the container. The ring normally tends to contract intoalmost its F itg. 3 position, and is forcedmto its open an closed positions (Figs. 2 and 3 respectively) by sultable means such as a toggle clip 34. This clip is shown-open in Fig. 2 and closed in Fig.

The valve 9 above mentioned comprises a tube 25 passing throu h and upwardly from the lid 7, and a weight 33 mounted on the tube. The weight tends to close the tube. The annular. space 27' between tube andweight permits egress of fluid from the container when. the pressure in the contalner forces the Weight upwardly. The valve thus opens automatically to relieve the pressure within the container whenever such pressure exceeds a predetermined amount.

The point 36 that closes the opening in the' upstanding tube is protected from extraneous dust and dirt.

When the container is at temperatures or internal pressures above normal, the expansion of the lid with respect to the body causes the flange 11 of the lid to fit tightly against the head 14 on the inner surface of the ring 10, to form therewith a pressuretight joint. This makes it possible to dispense with the clamping devices commonly employed to insure a pressure-tight joint, and in view of the fact that at normal conditions of temperature and pressure this joint between lid and body is simply a sliding fit, it is possible for the operator to put the lid on and off under normal conditions with ease.

The pressure-tight joint does not obtain because of the above named temperature expansion considerations only. The internal pressure causes the lid to tend to move upward. Such movement is prevented by the sprin ring 15. If the temperature is raised the bindin efi'ect at bead 18 adds cumulatively to the preventive effect. Hence the centrally sloping lower face of the trough 28 tends to become horizontal as the central part of the lid 7 is forced upwardly. The result is that the outer vertical portion of the trough is seated against the head 18 by the radial toggle action of said sloping portion. It is believed that the internal pressure acting radially against the inner vertical portion of the trough 28 also assists in seating action. Hence without supernormal temperature and only a pressure increase within the vessel, the seal would be obtained. However the temperature and pressure efi'ects augment one another, either or both being effective. Of course the most effective seal is accomplished with both means operative as in the case of ordinary operation.

The device may be operated as follows: Into the body 5 are placed suitable materials or ingredients. The cover is then slipped onto the body until the flange 11 of the .cover abuts against the flange 13 on the ring 10. The spring ring 15 is then inserted in place and locked by means of the toggle clip 34 (Fig. 3). Vhen the spring ring 15 is in place, the lid may be pulled outwardly far enough to bring the flange 11 against the ring; this is not at all necessary, because the pressure within the container as soon as cooking gets under way, may cause this movement automatically, and if it does not do so, the device will ordinarily seal itself anyway.

The container is now ready to be heated.

This heating ordinarily causes the pressure within the container to rise above atmospheric pressure. This heating automatically causes the joint between flange 11 and head 14 to be pressure-tight for the reasons above indicated. The internal pressure within the container can be relieved at any time to any desired extent by grasping the knob 32 of wood or other heat-insulating material, and lifting the weight 33. Excessive pressure is automatically relieved by the lifting of said weight and the resulting opening of the valve 9.

When the lid is to be removed, the internal pressure may be partly or entirely relieved by lifting the weight 33; the rim of the lid may be cooled by running cold water in the trough 28 or in any other suitable way. The spring ring 15 is released by opening the toggle clip 34 and the ring is then removed, after which the lid 7 may be easily pulled away from the body portion.

If a partial vacuum is formed within the container at any time, due to cooling of the container, such vacuum may be relieved inanually by lifting the weight.

By virtue of the construction herein shown, the contact between body and container is along a surface 18 so narrow as to be substantially only a line. This minimizing of the area of contact increases the pressure per square inch of contact for a given total pressure developed, and ensures a tight seal even at conditions of temperature, pressure, or both not far above normal or room values.

A pressure gauge 22 of suitable construction indicates the pressure within the container.

The pans 38 (if more than one is used) are preferably oval, or of other non-circular form, and alternate pans are in staggered relation in order to facilitate passage of steam and vapors from one pan to another.

Each pan is provided with a bail 51 pivotally mounted at points to one side of the axis (center of gravity) of the pan as indicated in Fig. 6. One end of the bail (in Fig. 6 and at the left in Fig. 5) extends across the top rim of the pan as at 53, then through the pan, thence upwardly on the outside of the an. This part 53 is so shaped that it imits the upward movement of the bail to the substantially vertical position shown in Fig. 5 and in solid lines in Fig. 6, and also limits the downward movement of the bail to the substantially horizontal position shown in dotted lines in Fig 6. By virtue of this construction, the pan is in stable equilibrium when su )ported by the bail in raised position (solid lines in Fig. 6) whether the pan is empty or not, and has no tendency to tip or to spill its contents.

The bead 26 on the cover causes the condensed steam on the cover to drop off at the bead instead of reaching the junction of cover and body.

'. In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results atment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim: 7

1. A container combining a. body and closure, automatically effective means for sealing the closure with respect to the body at super-normal temperatures, and automatically effective means for sealing the'closure with respect to the'body at internal pressures substantially above atmos heric, said means comprising a coeflicient 0 expansion of the closure higher than that of the body and an upturned rim on said closure whereby longitudinal movement of said closure, due to internal pressure, expands said rim.

2. A container combining a body having an upper rim and a closure, automatically effective means tending to retain the latter in position on the rim of the former, the two parts being readily separable at normal or room conditions, but said parts being so arranged as to form a sealing contact with one another at super-normal temperatures,

\ the said u per rim of the body comprising a ring an having a surface accurately circular to cooperate with the cover to form a seal.

3. A container combining a body having an upper rim and a closure} automatically effective means tending to retain the latter in position on the rim of the former, the two parts being readily separable at normal or room conditions, but said parts being so arranged as to form a sealing contact with one another" at super-normal temperatures, the said upper rim of the body comprising a ring having a surface accurately circular to cooperate with the cover to form a seal, and sealing means between ring and body.

4. A container comprising a body and a closure, an up-turned edge on the closure and means tending to retain the closurein position on the body, the two parts being readily separable at normal room conditions, but said parts being so arranged as to form at least a partial sealing contact with one another at super-normal temperatures, any

internal pressure tending to increase the sealing action. A

5. A container combining a body, a closure having a flange, and resilient means tending to retain the closure in (position on the body, the two parts beingrea ily separable at normal room temperatures and internal pressures, the flange of the closure fitting snugly within the mouth of the body and bein adapted to form] a sealing contact therewit by virtue of the expansion of the closure when the parts are at super-normal temper atures and internal pressures, the effects of the pressures enhancing the effects of the temperatures.

fitting closure having a flange and a central portion of a shape adapted, upon applying internal pressure 'to cause expansion of the flange when the flange is restrained, the body and closure being readily separable at normal roomtemperatures and pressures, a portion of said rim fitting snugl within the mouth of the body and being a apted to form a restraining and sealin contact therewith by virtue of the expanslon of the closure when the parts are at super-normal temperatures and pressures, the super-normal temperatures causing at least some holding action on the flange, whereby the super-normal in- 6. A container combining a body, a snugly ternal pressures are adapted to increase the holding and sealing actions.

7. A container combining a body, a snugly fitting closure having a flange and a central portion of a shape adapted, upon appl ing internal ressure, to cause expansion 0 the flange w en the flange is restrained, the body and closure being readily separable at normal room temperatures and pressures, a portion of said rim fitting snugly within the mouth of the body and being adapted to form a restrainin and sealing contact therewith by virtue of the expansion of the closure when the parts are at super-normal temperatures and pressures, the super-normal temperatures causing at least some holding action on the flange, whereby the super-nor-l mal internal pressures are adapted to increase the holding and sealing actions and resilient means tending to positively retain the closure in position on the body as the action is starte 8. A container combining a body and a closure an upturned edge on said closure, and automatically effective means tending to retain the latter in position on the former, the two parts being readily separable at normal or room conditions, but said parts being so arranged as to form a sealing contact with one another at super-normal temperatures and at super-normal internal pressures, said arrangement comprising a means for the central part of said closure forcin the upturned edge thereof to a seat on said body after thermal expansion starts a contact.

9. A container combining a body, a closure having a flange, and resilient means tending to retain the closure in position on the body, the two parts being readily separable at normal or room temperatures and internal pressures, and the flange of the closure fitting snugly within the mouth, of the body and being adapted to form a sealing contact therewith by virtue of the expansion of the closure when the parts are at super-normal internal pressures and at super-normal temperatures.

10. A container combining a body and a closure, and automatically effective means tending to retain the latter in position .on the former, the two parts being readily separable at normal or room pressures and temperatures, and the closure fitting snugly the mouth of the body, one of said parts having a bead cooperating with the other part adapted to form a substantially line sealing contact with the other part therewith by virtue of the expansion of the closure at super-normal temperatures and to form a tighter sealing contact as the internal pressure increases, by virtue of the configuration of the closure.

11. A container combining a body and a closure, and automatically effective means tending to retain the latter in position on the former, the two parts being readily separable at normal or room pressures and temperatures, and the closure fitting snugly the mouth of the body, one of said parts having a bead co-operating with the other art adapted to form a substantially line sea ing contact with the other part therewith by virtue of the expansion of the closure at super-normal temperatures, and to form a tighter sealin contact as the internal pressure increases by virtue of the incipient movement of the central portion of the closure out through the more peripheral portions thereof.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification this 13th day of September, 1922.

ALFRED VISCHER, Jn. 

